What Are The Benefits Of Royal Jelly Complex?

Royal jelly, a beneficial by-product of bees, is a complex of proteins, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids. While not an actual jelly, this milky-white substance secreted by nurse bees serves as food for very young larvae. The larvae selected as possible successors to the queen bee continue to receive this nutrient-rich complex. Throughout her life, the queen's sole diet consists of royal jelly, which contributes to her size, fertility and longevity.

Nutritional Value

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations says that royal jelly in its natural state contains a high percentage of water. Sugars and proteins comprise most of the substance when examining a dehydrated sample. Lipids, vitamins and minerals make up the remaining dry weight ingredients. Royal jelly contains the spectrum of B-complex vitamins, including B1, B2, B6, B12, biotin, folic acid, pantothenic acid and inositol. It also carries trace amounts of vitamin C. Mineral components include calcium, copper, iron, potassium, manganese and zinc. Royal jelly nutritional supplements come in capsule, tablet and liquid form.

Antibacterial Properties

According to The Journal of Biological Chemistry, the aptly named protein royalisin found in royal jelly possesses antibacterial characteristics to combat the bacterias responsible for most common staph infections of the skin. Research shows that hydroxydecanoic acid, a fatty acid also found in royal jelly, may prove effective in fighting strep throat and a specific strain of intestinal E. coli bacteria.

Skin Health

In the United States, most imported royal jelly finds its way into skin care products. The beauty industry, already aware of royal jelly's antibacterial properties, now promotes the creamy emulsion as a skin rejuvenator. Royal jelly's amino acids make it an attractive ingredient in beauty and dermatologic formulations to designed to moisturize the skin, reduce the signs of aging and regenerate damaged skin tissue.

Lowered Blood Pressure

Cited in an abstract on the PubMed website, a group of Japanese researchers analyzed the effect of royal jelly on rodents suffering from hypertension. Rats receiving one oral dose of royal jelly experienced reduced systolic readings for a period of eight hours. Laboratory results attributed the rodents' lowered blood pressures to the consumption of peptides present in royal jelly. They concluded royal jelly would improve the blood pressure levels of humans with hypertension.

Fatigue Fighter

Manufacturers add royal jelly to nutritional supplements for its fatigue-fighting ability. Often, royal jelly and ginseng provide a double dose of natural energy-boosting benefits. Patients with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and immune disorders take royal jelly orally to counteract the associated exhaustion and weakness.